In all fairness, he should not have taken the time off. It got him way too out of shape, but I really would rather have a experienced vet than a 18 year old Bayern kid.
Sterlings tackle wasn't that bad, he only caught him with his trailing foot, which was tucked in, studs down. It was aggressive but fair, the most the ref should have given him was a yellow card for reckless play. Also, given his injury a few years back, the reaction from Valencia was understandable, he reacted in the heat of the moment, a simple talking to and a yellow card would be fine in that situation. But the ref wanted to be center of attention, the way he brandished the cards in a camp over the top fashion showed that.
So like you said, hopefully we get a better standard of referee during the World Cup, although I doubt we actually will.
First place my arse, with this kind of pathetic game and victories thanks to the ref, they will go and watch the world cup somewhere in bars or at home after 1/4 finals.
I don't think all the refs will be so generous with questionable penalties and fouls only to the opposite side.
Offcourse they'll have to win the worldcup. Riots, protest allready happening. If they loose, it will be another hit. Was a bad move to host the WC there.
Have they really handpicked the worst referees or something? Pretty awful work so far... Looking forward to Spain-Netherlands to see if they will be any more competent
Was at work following the live commentary feed on my phone. I left my phone for a bit at 2-1, and when i came back and saw 5-1 I laughed so hard. Couldn't belive what I was seeing lmao.